Canada raised 260 battalions in WW I, one of which was the 96th Highlanders Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) from Saskatoon and area. Due to the high casualty rate of units already overseas, the 96th Highlanders battalion was eventually absorbed into other battalions as reinforcements.

The Pipes and Drums of the Saskatoon Light Infantry were formed in 1942 by Pipe Major Duncan Campbell at the request of the late Lt. Col. A. McNeil, Commanding Officer of the Second S.L.I. The Second S.L.I. were disbanded on the return of the First Battalion from overseas service in 1945 but the Pipes and Drums were adopted as the Band of the unit.